Wake Boats Effecting our Wisconsin Waters

There's are all kinds of studies (along with common sense) that shows the negative impact that recreational UTV/ATV riding has on the land, water quality, wildlife, and non-riders, but that hasn't stopped every county government in Northern Wi from promoting the opportunities their county provides.  We all know its because of the tourism dollars that riders bring has a bigger impact than tourism dollars lost from people that are fed up with all the UTV/ATV traffic in the north woods.  I suspect this wake boat issue will play out in a similar fashion, if the wake and recreational boaters bring in more tourism dollars than the tourism dollars lost from users avoiding these lakes, nothing will happen.  If wake boats are having a negative impact on tourism, than the environmental impacts will be used to justify regulating them.

https://winchesterwi.com/CMS/files/2024/Draft_Wake_Ordinance2.pdf">https://winchesterwi.com/CMS/files/2024/Draft_Wake_Ordinance2.pdf

Another report out about the negative effects of wake boats.

https://wigreenfire.org/wake-boats-and-lakes-new-report-from-wisconsins-green-fire/

Here are some good links for reference:

U of Minnesota study on LIVEWELLS v. BALLAST TANKS that shows wake boats are like five-star hotels for zebra mussel transport. 
Zebra mussel ballast tank study

Videos of wake surfers scouring Wisconsin lake bottoms
Wake boats scouring WI lakes

Lakes at Stake Website - Group fighting for the 96% of us who are negatively impacted by wakeboats
Lakes at Stake Wisconsin (bipartisan sole issue group - protecting WI lakes from Wakeboat impacts)

Let's see what happens in Madison these next few weeks. And U of Minnesota will be coming out next month with a comprehensive wakeboat downward prop wash study, with extensive video. We'll see what they find. 

Quote Julleye: Unfortunately, the R’s are going to push through the legislation written by the manufacturers.
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As pointed out there's already laws in existence to deal with the issue at hand. Laws R's and D's passed. The issue now is that the big "D" in the governor's office hasn't directed his administrative agency (the DNR) or it's secretary to do anything about it.

Julleye - Evers has issued more vetoes than any governor in Wisconsin history, so it's safe to assume he'll veto it.

I remember Lake Camelot 40 years ago.  All that comes to mind now is Don Henley " They called it Paradise" .  The Last Resort. 

Unfortunately, the R’s are going to push through the legislation written by the manufacturers.  That bill does nothing to address the real issues and is takes away local control.  Hopefully Evers will veto it, but in the end nothing gets done which is a win for the industry.  Follow the money.

Seems like more and more meetings about Wake Boats are happening. Our Lake Association discussed them this past meeting in 23. 

Town of Oakland in Douglas county has a meeting scheduled as well .

Town of Winchester, Vilas County. Special meeting 2/10/24 on wake boats regulations 

"JC-
Curious on your thoughts...

The same logic should apply to a wake boat. If a wake boat is not actively wakeboarding, no reason to ask to see their ballast tank. However if they are wakeboarding, it would be reasonable to assume that they have water in their ballast tank."

I agree.  If they aren't inspecting them then the reason should be fixed.

I was at the Milwaukee boat show a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately it sure seemed likes the wake boats are the hot boats right now.

Hopefully the DNR limits them soon!

I think people need to get motivated quickly to stop them!

Your link doesn't work prj :)

Paul A. Smith has another piece in the MJS re: the Spring Hearings and states:
Wake boats are the topic of several WCC advisory questions. One will ask if the Legislature should create a statute prohibiting the use of wake boat ballast systems on Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. Another will ask whether statutes should be modified to allow wake boats to operate only on state waters larger than 1,500 acres, more than 20 feet deep and at least 700 feet from shore and other lake users.

Wisconsin spring conservation hearings resume in-person for 2024.webloc